New NBA Season Tips Off with Watch Party in Lagos

The 2026-27 NBA season tipped off on Tuesday, 20 October, with six teams across the league taking to the court for the opening night of the new season.

In Lagos, basketball fans gathered at Amore Gardens for a season tip-off watch party hosted by NBA Nigeria. The event welcomed more than 150 guests, including NBA partners, media personalities, entertainers and basketball fans including iLLBLISS, Zakari Momodu, Tega Oghenejobo, Ozoemena, Groovy Mono, Jimmie Akinsola, Daala Oruwari and more who came together to watch the opening-night matchup and celebrate the start of a new season.

In the season opener, guests watched the Boston Celtics take on the Detroit Pistons, who rallied from a 22-point deficit to secure a 121-113 victory, spoiling Paul George’s Celtics debut despite his game-high 38 points. Detroit’s 23-0 run in the fourth quarter proved decisive, sealing an impressive comeback.

Speaking at the event, Fola Folowosele, Country Head, NBA Nigeria said “The 2026-27 NBA season marks an exciting time for basketball across Africa, with 75 games set to air during primetime across the continent for the first time.

“We are excited to see a record six Nigerian players featured on opening-night rosters, alongside more than 20 second-generation Nigerians in the NBA this season. These milestones reflect the strong connection between Nigeria and the game, and we look forward to continuing to bring fans closer to the action throughout the season.”

Fans can follow the 2026-27 NBA season live throughout the year on EPSN, SuperSport, Sporty TV, Prime and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium subscription service.

James Agberebi is a sports content creator and analyst with a passion for football and other sports. He writes sports news, match reports, and analysis to keep fans informed about the latest developments in the sporting world. James has covered international matches involving both Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national teams. His experience covering Nigerian football gives him a good understanding of the game and the teams he writes about. Through his work with Complete Sports, James shares sports updates, match coverage, and analysis with readers in Nigeria and around the world.